Mayor's View: The meaning and lessons of 'Auld Lang Syne'

Saturday

Dec 28, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Like most of us, I ponder what the new year will bring and what the future holds. If you raise a glass this New Year's Eve and ring in the new year with a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne," I have a wish for you - think about that phrase and embrace it.

Simply translated the words mean "old, long, and since." The phrase is commonly translated to mean "for old time's sake." A few of the verses of "Auld Lang Syne" literally translate as follows:

And there is a hand, my trusty friend, And give us a hand of yours, And we will take a goodwill drink (of ale) For times gone by! And surely you will pay for your pint, And surely I will pay for mine! And we will take a cup of kindness yet For times gone by!

These lines are an intriguing contrast - giving a hand to those in need, yet paying your own way. They seem contradictory, but not necessarily. I would also argue that they also apply to communities, not just individuals.

Helping one another has long been a tradition in our community. We have only to look at the recent passing of Matt Marvin, one of Freeport's greatest philanthropists, to see that a giving a hand can be a crucial key to a true sense of community. Matt Marvin gave liberally to the people of Freeport. He was truly a "helping hand."

On the other hand, there is a strong strain of individualism in our community. How many times have you heard the refrain, "Stop the regulation - I can take care of myself." Hence the phrase, in Auld Lang Syne, "you will pay for your pint, and I will pay for mine."

As we move forward to 2014, I have some specific goals, but just for now, just for New Year's, let's look at the broader concepts.

More than one position can be valid at the same time. In fact, sometimes good outcomes can arise from strong debate accompanied by careful listening. In our deliberations, let's try our best to reconcile contradictory positions and find common ground wherever possible.

That is not the only parcel of wisdom offered by this New Year's favorite. Robert Burns has been attributed with putting "Auld Lang Syne" to paper, but he is claimed to have said "I took it down from an old man." In other words, he drew upon oral tradition - history.

If we draw upon our own local history, we can honor "Auld Lang Syne" while welcoming the future.

In Tutty Baker, one of our founding fathers renowned for providing a "Free Port," we can see reflections of Burns' poem. Looking to a different point in Freeport's history, we see Oscar and Malvina Taylor. They are alleged to have maintained a stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves coming north. And, let us not forget the historic significance of the Lincoln-Douglas debate and the "Freeport Doctrine."

We are rich in a history that not only should not be forgotten, but should be celebrated.

In the year ahead, we have many decisions to make as a community. Can we take a page from Robert Burns on how to move forward together, as a community?

I think we can. I think we must. If we open our hearts and minds, I believe we can surprise ourselves at how much can be accomplished in 2014.

Jim Gitz is mayor of Freeport.

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